Charges have been filed against an Oklahoma woman who is being accused of laundering nearly $1.5 million in funds obtained through online romance scams, targeting elderly women. 

Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced that Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, was arrested Monday, and is accused of laundering money from out-of-state victims between Sept. 30, 2024, and Dec. 26, 2024. 

Officials said that all the victims were women between the ages of 64 and 79.

The victims believed they were sending money to a male subject whom they thought they were in an online relationship with, according to a news release from Drummond’s office.

A person receiving a transfer alert scam text   (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Echohawk was confronted in January 2024 by law enforcement about suspected criminal activity, Drummond’s office said, but allegedly continued to launder funds after a short hiatus.

Officials said Echohawk is believed to have been converting the funds into cryptocurrency and sending those payments to an unidentified suspect.

Echohawk was charged with unlawful use of criminal proceeds and using a computer to violate state statutes. She faces five counts that, together, carry 24 to 62 years in prison and up to $260,000 in fines.

Anyone is encouraged to report suspected fraud to Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s Consumer Protection Unit at 833-681-1895 or consumerprotection@oag.ok.gov.

Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com